A friend asked me what camp was like and why I loved to go there. I couldn’t decide how to answer her. I tried to explain that there was something mystical about leading tifillah, the mist still hovering over the lake as the sun was rising. After we prayed, we all walked together to the Chadar Ochel (Dining hall) to eat breakfast and recite the blessings before and after eating. Then, we studied and learned from one another. We did this day after day. Camp is like that. I watched the campers as they went about their days doing various activities: swimming or boating in the lake, playing sports, climbing a tower, riding a horse. Every place I turned was full of activity - kids having the summer of their lives. On Shabbat, camp became a different place. As people cleaned up, time slowed down. We sang more songs, ate better food and took time to enjoy the beauty of nature. Where else besides Israel can you speak Hebrew, sing Jewish songs, eat carbohydrates (a Jewish delicacy?) and for two weeks, live Jewishly? How can it be explained in a few words? OSRUI is like no other place on earth.  Rabbi Cosnowsky

"I am currently at camp working in the Chalutzim program. This is a seven week Hebrew immersion program for entering 10th graders. We have two hours of Hebrew class everyday. In addition all the rest of our activities are conducted in Hebrew. This summer we have 77 campers in Chalutzim, including seven from Etz Chaim. Chalutzim is unique in American Jewish camping. No other camp as a program of this nature. I proud to be a part of this important adventure in Jewish learning." Rabbi Bob